Southampton Town Councilwoman Hosts Beach Cleanup For Fifth Year At Coopers

Five years ago, Southampton Town Councilwoman Christine Scalera was approached by Ali Wentworth, the wife of ABC News Anchor George Stephanopoulos, and her daughter, Elliot Stephanopoulos, in search of a way to thank Southampton Town for the great summer she had.

Together, Ms. Scalera, Ms. Wentworth and Elliot decided to host a beach cleanup for children. The idea was to teach them the importance of leaving the beach in the same condition as when they arrived. It also provided an opportunity to learn about the environment.

In just a couple of weeks, on Saturday, August 25, Ms. Scalera will once again host what has become an annual beach cleanup for kids.

“This is our fifth one,” Ms. Scalera said on Tuesday. “It’s been done on beaches from Sagg Main to Ponquogue last year. This year, we teamed up with Southampton Village to do the cleanup at Coopers.”

On top of learning about the environment, children who participate will be given bags to decorate and fill with garbage found on the beach. The kids who fill the most bags will win prizes, but everyone will walk away with something, as each child will also get a bag filled with goodies.

Although some beach cleanups focus on the amount of garbage taken off the beach, Ms. Scalera said this one is about the kids. “This is more like a learning experience to let the kids feel proud of what they do,” she said. “We've never measured the amount [of garbage], because that wasn’t the focus. This is more about the kids and more about making them feel empowered.”

The event is sponsored by companies like the Purist Magazine, Hampton Trading Company, Juice Press, Hint Water, Elaine Kim, Soixante Neuf Jewelry, and Maison Vivienne which will provide snacks on the day of the cleanup.

The day before, on August 24, a cocktail fundraising reception for the event will also be held at Maison Vivienne, along with a pop-up boutique featuring fashion designer Elaine Kim, in Southampton Village and Soixante Neuf Jewels.

Ms Scalera said 10 percent of the sale proceeds from the pop-up boutique will be given to the Peconic Baykeeper, who she says helps protect the beaches and waterways.

In previous years, the event was held earlier in the day, attracting between eight and 20 kids, but this year the cleanup will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Ms. Scalera speculates that numbers have been low in the past because of the time, which is why the event is being held later in the day.

And although the event is being held at Coopers Beach, where people are required to pay to park or display a parking permit, those who say they are there to participate in the beach cleanup will be given a free pass to park from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

“This is completely free of politics, and it’s just a feel-good, fun thing to do,” said Ms. Scalera, adding that the event is open to anyone. “The kids have a great time. It’s a win-win, and the parents thank us.”